Learn More About Wound Care Treatment

Click on the image below to watch an interactive animation about Foot Wound Care Treatment

Treatment Plans

If you have or think you may have a DFU, see your wound care specialist immediately. Your wound care specialist will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include the following:

• Treating any existing infection with antibiotics or topical treatments
• Removing the dead or unhealthy skin around your wound, called debriding. This process helps clean the wound and should only be done by a qualified medical professional
• Applying specialized dressings and other treatments that promote healing
  • Different wounds require different kinds of dressings, so your doctor will determine which is best for you and provide instructions for their proper care
  • Advanced wound care products may be recommended to help encourage faster healing
• Offloading your wound — Offloading means taking weight and pressure off of your foot, and most importantly, off of your wound

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About Dermagraft

Dermagraft is an advanced wound care product that contains living human skin cells. It is a safe and effective skin substitute that is placed on your wound to cover it and to help it heal. It contains a temporary mesh fabric that will eventually dissolve and go away by itself.

Dermagraft is used to treat foot ulcers that have been present for more than 6 weeks in patients with diabetes. It is used together with standard methods of treating foot ulcers, including cleaning and preparing the wound, applying cover dressings to hold it in place, and wearing special shoes, casts, or other methods or devices to take the pressure off the sore, called “offloading.”

What makes Dermagraft unique?

• It is an advanced wound care product that contains living human skin cells.
• It incorporates patented technology that was developed through many years of research.
• It heals diabetic foot ulcers faster than standard treatment that does not include Dermagraft.

How can I be sure it’s safe?

Dermagraft is manufactured under closely controlled conditions and thoroughly tested throughout the manufacturing process to make sure that it is free from any contaminants.

How does Dermagraft therapy begin?

Before you begin therapy, your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and explain the types of tests and treatments you will be receiving. You may also receive an x-ray to make sure that the bones in your feet are not infected. A culture (a sample of tissue to detect bacteria) may be performed on your wound to determine if an antibiotic is necessary.

Application
Your wound care specialist will explain that Dermagraft does not cause pain or irritation when in place. However, debridement – the necessary removal of old and dead tissue from the wound site – can cause some discomfort. Dermagraft will be placed on your wound regularly (typically, once a week).

Take the pressure off your wound
It is very important that you follow your wound care specialist’s instructions involving the use of special shoes or devices to relieve pressure on the wound area. Walking on an ulcer may make it larger and can kill living cells.

Education
Your wound care specialist can educate you on the proper care of your foot ulcer after it has been treated with Dermagraft. Also, be sure to ask for information on nutrition and skin care, two essential things for keeping your feet healthy.

What else should I discuss with my wound care specialist?

Before beginning therapy, have a conversation with your wound care specialist to make sure that Dermagraft is right for you.

Allergies
Tell your wound care specialist if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to bovine (cow) products or Dermagraft. Dermagraft manufacturing medium and storage solution may contain trace amounts of bovine proteins.

Pregnancy
Dermagraft usage has not been studied in pregnant women. Before treatment, make sure your wound care specialist knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Other medicines
Because some medicines may interfere with the healing of your wound, it is especially important that your wound care specialist knows if you are taking any other medications.

Related medical issues
Diabetic foot ulcers are commonly associated with other unwanted medical problems, including wound infection and inflammation, bone infection, allergic reaction, and wound drainage. Antibiotics, surgery, and other treatments may be required to manage these issues. If you have a medical problem that you think may be related to your foot wound or its treatment, talk to your wound care specialist.

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Care Instructions

You are the most important person involved in healing your foot ulcer.
Below are several ways you can help your wound heal faster:

Return for your medical appointments so your doctor can check on your progress and make any treatment changes necessary.

Keep weight off the wound (offloading) to relieve pressure around the ulcer. Increased pressure or stepping on an unprotected foot can slow the healing process.

Take your diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar within target range. Higher glucose levels make it harder to fight infection and to heal wounds.

Cover the wound when bathing to keep it and the dressing dry, as instructed by your wound care specialist.

Watch for infection—call your wound care specialist if you notice any changes in the wound.

Signs of infection include:

• A rise in temperature or fever
• An increase in blood sugar
• Swollen, red, or red-streaked skin near the wound
• Discharge, drainage, foul odor, warmth, or pain around the wound

Lead a diabetes-friendly lifestyle

Eat well-balanced, portion-conscious meals, work with your healthcare team to plan a physical activity program, and stop smoking. Smoking may constrict blood flow needed at the wound site for proper healing.

Steps for successful offloading

• Use your treatment tools
• Wear the special treatment shoe or offloading device prescribed by your doctor
• Always wear clean, dry, properly fitting socks with your treatment shoe (ie, socks with no tears, seams, or mending)
• Use any walking aid (ie, cane, walker, crutches) as directed to help you keep your balance

Be sure devices are comfortable and in good shape

• Your special shoe or offloading device should always fit correctly.
• Let your doctor know if there is any redness or irritation; adjustments can be made to ensure healing and prevent development of new wounds.
• Take care to tell your wound care specialist if a special treatment shoe becomes worn out or if you are having problems with your walking aid.

How is Dermagraft applied to my wound?

What special precautions should I take?
Your wound care specialist will instruct you to always wear special treatment shoes or to use other offloading devices to reduce the amount of weight on your foot in order to help heal your wound. Be sure to follow your wound care specialist’s instructions closely.

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Indications for Dermagraft

Dermagraft is indicated for use in the treatment of full-thickness diabetic foot ulcers more than 6 weeks duration, which extend through the dermis, but without tendon, muscle, joint capsule, or bone exposure. Dermagraft should be used in conjunction with standard wound care regimens and in patients who have adequate blood supply to the involved foot.

Contraindications

• Dermagraft is contraindicated for use in ulcers that have signs of clinical infection or in ulcers with sinus tracts
• Dermagraft is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to bovine products, as it may contain trace amounts of bovine proteins from the manufacturing medium and storage solution

Please consult the Dermagraft Directions for Use for product related details.

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